By Chris Oddo | Saturday October 7, 2017
David Goffin edged Diego Schwartzman in two tight sets to reach his second consecutive Tokyo final on Saturday.
Photo Source: Getty
David Goffin was pushed to the brink in both sets but still emerged with a 7-6(3), 7-6(6) victory over a spirited Diego Schwartzman to reach the Tokyo final.
Report: Miami Open Nearing Deal to Move to Dolphins Home
Goffin stretches his win streak to eight with the victory and passes Sam Querrey in the Race to London standings as well—he can pad his lead over the American tomorrow when he goes for his second consecutive title over either Marin Cilic or Adrian Mannarino.
Goffin improved to 3-1 lifetime over Schwartzman, and 2-0 this season, by staying calm as Schwartzman mounted a late surge in the second set.
Schwartzman broke with Goffin serving for the match then forced a tiebreaker and rallied from 4-2 down at the changeover to hold a 5-4 lead.
But Goffin took the next two points before Schwartzman saved a match point to level at 6-all at the second change.
An ill-timed double-fault game Goffin a second match point which he promptly converted to seal his 48th victory over the season in two hours and three minutes.
Goffin saved two of three break points on the day and served six aces. The Belgian earned the only break point of the first set but was unable to convert before winning the opener in a tiebreaker.
Goffin will bid for his fourth career title on Sunday. He snapped a six-match losing streak in ATP finals when he won the Shenzhen title last week.